Middle Eastern spend soars

Spending from Middle Eastern shoppers in the UK rose 50% in October compared to the previous year as shoppers favoured luxury brands and designer stores.

According to tax-free shopping operator Global Blue spend in the UK by Middle Eastern shoppers shot up, with the region also accounting for 26% of non-EU spend in October.

The festival of Eid, which ran from October 26 to 28, was a driving factor in this increase in spending becuase during the festival many people from the Middle East choose to go on holiday and spend abroad. Last year the festival took place in August and so the comparatives were particularly weak for October.

The data from Global Blue showed that shoppers from the Middle East favour luxury brands and West End designer stores but are not interested in buying high street goods and do not want to shop for discounted items during the Sales.

Collectively shoppers from the Middle East had the highest average monthly spend of all non-EU countries spend from January to October.

Jace Tyrell, director at New West End Company, said: “Middle Eastern spend in the district is worth millions to our retailers, favouring luxury brands such as Cartier and Chanel —in the pre-Ramadan rush this year there was approximately £130 million spent by Middle Eastern visitors, and this grows every year.”

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